Three children died and two others are in critical condition due to food poisoning at a school hostel in Chikkanayakanahalli in Tumakuru this morning. The Vidyavaridhi International School, where the children were studying, reportedly belongs to former BJP MLA K.S. Kiran Kumar. According to reports, the Police have taken Kiran Kumar into custody.

The deceased have been identified as Shreyas, Akansh and Shanthamurthy, all aged 15. They died after consuming food at the hostel yesterday night. Two other students who are currently undergoing treatment at a hospital are said to be critical.

Soon after dinner, the students complained of stomach ache and they had vomited continuously. Their condition worsened and the three died at around 4 am.

There are 40 Standard III to Standard X students at the hostel and according to Kiran Kumar, somebody might have poisoned the food.

The students had consumed rice and sambar. Some students said that they saw something bluish substance in the sambar and that made them stop eating dinner.